Dress Code Would Keep Teachers Looking Classy

IN THE SCHOOLS

This school year, jeans, T-shirts and short-shorts could be no-nos. But the new dress code to be considered by the New Britain Board of Education would affect school staff -- not students.

For the first time, the school board's policy committee tonight will consider a rule that says school staff members influence students not only by the way they act and teach, but also by how they look. If the policy committee approves the dress code, it will be considered for approval by the school board.

The proposed policy says ``personal dress and conduct'' during the school day ``sets an example to students'' and that ``professional dress and conduct creates a more positive school and districtwide atmosphere.''

Staff should refrain from wearing casual clothing, such as blue jeans, logo-type T-shirts and casual shorts, the proposal says. Male teachers would be expected to wear shirts and ties, while female teachers would be expected to wear dresses, skirts or slacks. Custodial personnel would be expected to wear shirts with the school district's logo.

Under the proposed policy, building principals may make exceptions for special school activities or for maintenance workers and vocational and physical education teachers. Any casual-dress days must be approved by the superintendent. The proposal is almost identical to a staff dress code adopted by the Bristol school board in February.

Barbara Smyth, president of the New Britain teachers' union, said teachers already follow an understood dress code that calls for ``neat, plain and appropriate'' clothing. Adults, she said, are assumed to be old enough and responsible enough to dress appropriately for class. If they don't, they should expect a chat with their superiors.

``If someone is coming in with skirts up their behind, they should be talked to,'' Smyth said. But formal dress codes, she said, ``bother me a great deal.''

Elizabeth Nkonoki-Ward, policy committee chairwoman, said the dress code would not be formal. In other words, principals would not double as Mr. Blackwells. Teachers would not end up on ``worst- dressed'' lists or be sent home for badly coordinating their shirts and ties. The proposal is meant to encourage school staff to strive for excellence in another way, Nkonoki-Ward said.

The idea that a teacher's clothing can affect students makes sense if you also believe that a student's attire can affect the classroom environment. Students' clothing -- not teachers' -- is usually the reason why school officials propose dress codes. More often, public school systems are implementing tough clothing guidelines or voluntary uniforms. Under such dress codes, students spend more time worried about academics than style, proponents say. It also prevents students from wearing gang colors.

At New Britain High School, students must keep midriffs and shoulders covered. They cannot wear hoods, hats or bandannas, among other things. Skirts must be knee-length and pants must be worn at the waist. This means baggy jeans that expose boxer shorts and skirts that expose lots of leg are forbidden.

The proposed policy, in effect, says baggy jeans and short skirts are inappropriate for teachers, too. The difference is that students do face disciplinary action and can be sent home to change if they violate the district's clothing rules.